Volunteer

Kiwiburn is 100% volunteer run! That means the temporary community that is Kiwiburn does not exist without the hard work and kick ass dedication of volunteers offering their time, resources, knowledge, and skills – both year-round and on site. When something needs doing, it gets done, by you, by me, by the community. This is what we call a do-ocracy and this is how everything gets done.

Kiwiburn is always hungry for volunteers and there are many different ways to get involved – ranging from a one off shift with the Greeters, to construction with the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) pre event, to joining an organising committee that works throughout the year. You can choose to volunteer before, during, or after the event or even throughout the year. We are looking for some people with specific skills, but we find that enthusiasm for a volunteering role is the most important aspect. Leadership roles are available, so maybe you would even like to grab a project by the balls and make it your own!

Check out our volunteer team descriptions to see if anything piques your interest. Training for most of these roles will be provided. If you would like to volunteer but don’t see anything that interests you, maybe you can create a new role. It happens. Let us know what it is that you are interested in and we’ll see what can be coordinated.

Please note that this is a participant created event. Everyone contributes, everyone pays for their ticket. Kiwiburn does not subsidise entry fees in exchange for volunteer work because we are all volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the form on Volcor and we will be in touch.

Volunteer Teams

Kiwiburn is a volunteer-run festival. Volunteering at the event is known to produce a sense of belonging, pride and generally enhance your aura. So why not join us and hang out with some interesting characters, make friends and influence the party? Check out some of our volunteer teams below to see what kind of role suits your skills and personality. If you are interested in volunteering please fill out the form on Volcor. The more the merrier!

Gate
The Gate crew are the first people you’ll meet at Kiwiburn, and they are there to get you out of the default world and into Kiwiburn as quickly as they can. Save the hugs for Greeters; just give your lovely Gate volunteer your ticket, let them check your vehicle to ensure you are prepared for the event and not harbouring any stowaways, get your wristband and get inside! Gate volunteers are onto-it and responsible, with a mean sense of humour and constitutions of steel. If you’re keen to volunteer with Gate, sign up on Volcor!

Greeters
Greeters welcome new arrivals home to the Paddock and help them adjust from the everyday default world to the extraordinary world of Kiwiburn. If you haven’t volunteered at Kiwiburn before, this is a good place to start. Whether you are an extrovert with a sparkly personality who just loves hugging everyone or a shy silent type who is learning to push your boundaries, Greeters has a role for you. As a Greeter, you have the important job of welcoming people home to the Paddock with an awkward but precious moment, making new arrivals slightly more disoriented and full of warm fuzzies. If you’re keen to volunteer with Greeters, sign up on Volcor!

Ministry of Public Works
The Kiwiburn Ministry of Public Works (MPW) is the group that plans, surveys, builds, and takes down the basic infrastructure of our temporary community. MPW work hand-in-hand with other departments to ensure the site for Kiwiburn is prepared and ready to receive the participants on arrival, as well as ensuring the maintenance of Kiwiburn facilities throughout the burn. This includes marking and maintaining access roads, clearing camping areas, building Gate and the Depot, installing all the lighting on gates, restocking and cleaning portos, and placing all signage all over the site! If you have building skills and experience, like to work hard, party hard and listen to power ballads, and have time before the event to set things up, MPW might just be your natural volunteer habitat. If you’re keen to volunteer with MPW, sign up on Volcor!

Black Sheep Rangers (was Paddock Relief)
Modelled on the Black Rock City Rangers, Kiwiburn’s Black Sheep Rangers are volunteers who help ensure the safety of the site and participants, and can be identified by their hi-vis vests and friendly demeanour. Black Sheep Rangers are not law enforcement. They work within our community to help participants navigate the Paddock and promote awareness of how to have the best Kiwiburn experience possible! If you see a medical emergency, a fight or any other dangerous situation, alert your nearest member of Black Sheep Rangers or anyone else with a radio. If you are a kind, caring, responsible type of person, who has a lot to give, Black Sheep Rangers might be the volunteer role for you. If you’re keen to volunteer with the Black Sheep Rangers, sign up on Volcor!

The Depot
The Depot is our centralised community information centre. Buy a bag of ice, check Lost and Found for your camera or favourite earring, find out the latest of what’s going on on the Paddock, sign up for a volunteer shift, become a Paddock Postie. They know what’s going on everywhere. Open 9am–7pm every day. If you are organised, efficient and like selling ice, why not sign up for a shift? If you’re keen to volunteer with Depot, sign up on Volcor!

The Artery
The Artery is back – a hub for all things art on the Paddock. It will be filled with info on the art of Kiwiburn (past and present) and our Art Grants processes, so you know how you can get some of those dollars to bring your vision to life! They’ll be fun events like art tours and an “official opening” gallery night (giving you the chance to dress up, drink wine and prattle on about art like a fancy wanker!).
We need volunteers to “man the desk” from 2pm–5pm each day, and help run events. You will need to be a people person, passionate about art, and reliable. Interested? It’s a bonus if you have done projects before, have an understanding of the Art Grants processes or have a willingness to learn. Get amongst it! If you’re keen to volunteer with The Artery, sign up on Volcor!

Year-Round Volunteering
Are you an admin or finance wiz? Does IT float your boat? Are you mad keen on social media? Kiwiburn has a bunch of volunteers that work year-round to make things happen. Perhaps you could join our Art Grants Committee and help to bring art to the Paddock or maybe coordinating volunteers sounds like your future Kiwiburn role? If you love relaxing with no responsibilities during the event but still want to help out at other times of the year, please volunteer through Volcor and let us know about your mad skills.